Third Grade Retention Law

The Tennessee General Assembly has revised the state’s law regarding the promotion of students from third grade, T.C.A. § 49-6-3115, and third grade students who don’t show proficiency on the English Language Arts (ELA) section of the Tennessee Comprehensive Program (TCAP) may now be required to attend summer school and/or tutoring in order to be promoted to the 4th grade.

FAQ’s

 

What Parents Need to Know

There are exemptions from the retainment requirement (view table below). Additionally, if your child does not qualify for an exemption, and does not show proficiency on the English Language Arts (ELA) section, there is an opportunity to submit an appeal. Information regarding the appeal process will be provided to families of students whose scores require additional follow up.

If your child scores at “approaching” or “below” on the 3rd grade ELA TCAP , your child will not be retained if any of the following are true:

Your Child Scores “Approaching” Your Child Scores “Below”
My child has a disability that impacts reading. My child has a disability that impacts reading.
My child is an English learner and has received less than two (2) years of English instruction. My child is an English learner and has received less than two (2) years of English instruction.
My child has been retained previously. My child has been retained previously.
My child has a suspected disability* that impacts literacy development. My child has a suspected disability* that impacts literacy development.
My child was on-grade level on the re-take test. My child was on-grade level on the re-take test.
I enrolled my child in summer programming with 90% attendance and made adequate growth. I enrolled my child in summer programming with 90% attendance.

AND

I allow my child to receive free tutoring at school during 4th grade.
I allow my child to receive free tutoring at school during 4th grade.

 

Third Grade Timeline:

  • Late May – scores and proficiency levels released, parents notified.
  • Retake window- May 22-June 2.
  • May 30-June 13- Parent appeal window.